Area Golf Notes - eGolf events have led down road to PGA Tour

Chesson Hadley of Raleigh, NC plays it cool on the 9th green Saturday at River Landing Country Club as he sits on top of the leader board with 16 under Par through 13 on the last day of the River Landing Open eGolf Tournament.

Published: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 2:48 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 2:48 p.m.

In 2011 at St. James, a powerful golfer named Jason Kokrak whipped a field that included Brian Harman and dozens of other fledgling pros to win the eGolf Tour tournament at the Reserve at St. James.

Last spring at St. James, Peter Malnati contended for a title that Wilmington pro Josh Brock claimed. And last summer at River Landing, it was Raleigh pro Chesson Hadley who showed impressive ballstriking to take his first eGolf Tour title.

By the end of 2011, Kokrak had carved a path to the PGA Tour, where he's earned $1.977 million the last two years. Harman, a former Walker Cup team member from Georgia, has banked $2.056 million in that span. Hadley, a Raleigh resident, won in his hometown and finished third this year on the Web.com Tour money list. He and Malnati, a Web.com champ earlier this month, join Kokrak and Harman on the PGA Tour for the 2014 season.

The next wave of potential PGA Tour members arrives in Wallace Sept. 4-7 for the River Landing Open, held on the River course.

Of course Hadley won't defend his title. He'll be in Davidson competing in the Chiquita Classic, the second of four Web.com Tour Finals events.

Brock will be there, looking to turn his season around. The former UNCW standout has earned only $8,057 in 14 eGolf starts this season, but has a good track record at the River course. He fired 15-under there in 2011 to win the River Landing Intercollegiate.

Former UNCW golfer Ryan Sullivan and former ECU star Harold Varner – both of whom played in the U.S. Open in June – are also expected to compete.

Admission for the 72-hole stroke play tournament is free. For more information, visit tarheel.bluegolf.com.

Stars to come out in the Triangle

Another stellar Champions Tour field is expected is expected this fall for the SAS Championship.

Kenny Perry, a two-time major champion on the over-50 circuit this year, and Bernhard Langer head the list of players who committed recently to compete Oct. 6-8 at Prestonwood CC in Cary.

Smithfield pro Neal Lancaster, who received a sponsor's exemption to make his Champions Tour debut in last year's SAS, is another likely competitor. Lancaster, 50, has earned $94,499 in six starts this season, highlighted by a tie for 20th at the Senior PGA Championship in May.

Eligible professionals have until 5 p.m. Friday the week before the tournament to join the field.

Those interested in buying tickets ($20 per day, $40 per week) or volunteering can call (919) 531-4653 or visit saschampionship.com.

The CGA must sell 33 additional plates to reach the minimum of 300 and enable the N.C. DMV to start printing the plates.

The plates cost $30 per year, but those who register now receive the first year for free. The CGA receives $20 of the fee from each plate to help fund its junior golf program. Golfers applying for a plate now also qualify for a drawing that includes prizes for a foursome to play golf at Pinewild or Old North State Club.

For more information and a downloadable application, visit carolinasgolf.org.

<p>In 2011 at St. James, a powerful golfer named Jason Kokrak whipped a field that included Brian Harman and dozens of other fledgling pros to win the eGolf Tour tournament at the Reserve at St. James.</p><p>Last spring at St. James, Peter Malnati contended for a title that Wilmington pro Josh Brock claimed. And last summer at River Landing, it was Raleigh pro Chesson Hadley who showed impressive ballstriking to take his first eGolf Tour title.</p><p>By the end of 2011, Kokrak had carved a path to the PGA Tour, where he's earned $1.977 million the last two years. Harman, a former Walker Cup team member from Georgia, has banked $2.056 million in that span. Hadley, a Raleigh resident, won in his hometown and finished third this year on the Web.com Tour money list. He and Malnati, a Web.com champ earlier this month, join Kokrak and Harman on the PGA Tour for the 2014 season.</p><p>The next wave of potential PGA Tour members arrives in Wallace Sept. 4-7 for the River Landing Open, held on the River course. </p><p>Of course Hadley won't defend his title. He'll be in Davidson competing in the Chiquita Classic, the second of four Web.com Tour Finals events.</p><p>Brock will be there, looking to turn his season around. The former <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a> standout has earned only $8,057 in 14 eGolf starts this season, but has a good track record at the River course. He fired 15-under there in 2011 to win the River Landing Intercollegiate.</p><p>Former UNCW golfer Ryan Sullivan and former ECU star Harold Varner – both of whom played in the U.S. Open in June – are also expected to compete.</p><p>Admission for the 72-hole stroke play tournament is free. For more information, visit tarheel.bluegolf.com.</p><p><b>Stars to come out in the Triangle</b></p><p>Another stellar Champions Tour field is expected is expected this fall for the SAS Championship.</p><p>Kenny Perry, a two-time major champion on the over-50 circuit this year, and Bernhard Langer head the list of players who committed recently to compete Oct. 6-8 at Prestonwood CC in Cary.</p><p>Also expected to play are past SAS champions Russ Cochran, Craig Stadler, Hale Irwin, Tom Pernice Jr. and D.A. Weibring.</p><p>Smithfield pro Neal Lancaster, who received a sponsor's exemption to make his Champions Tour debut in last year's SAS, is another likely competitor. Lancaster, 50, has earned $94,499 in six starts this season, highlighted by a tie for 20th at the Senior PGA Championship in May.</p><p>Eligible professionals have until 5 p.m. Friday the week before the tournament to join the field.</p><p>Those interested in buying tickets ($20 per day, $40 per week) or volunteering can call (919) 531-4653 or visit saschampionship.com.</p><p><b>Buy a plate, help a kid</b></p><p>Help junior golf by purchasing a Carolinas Golf Association license plate.</p><p>The CGA must sell 33 additional plates to reach the minimum of 300 and enable the N.C. DMV to start printing the plates. </p><p>The plates cost $30 per year, but those who register now receive the first year for free. The CGA receives $20 of the fee from each plate to help fund its junior golf program. Golfers applying for a plate now also qualify for a drawing that includes prizes for a foursome to play golf at Pinewild or Old North State Club.</p><p>For more information and a downloadable application, visit carolinasgolf.org.</p><p><i></p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic94"><b>Brian Mull</b></a>: 343-2034</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BGMull</i></p>